MEDIAS

city, Sibiu judet (county), central Romania, on the Trnava Mare River. It was founded by German colonists in the 13th century on the site of a Roman camp called Media. Formerly a part of Austria-Hungary, Medias was united with Romania in 1919. The city centre is a large, tree-filled square, surrounded by old houses with tiled roofs. There is still a tower with an entrance gate and remnants from the walls of the 14th-century fortress. The Church of St. Margaret dates from the 17th century. Medias has become an important industrial centre, utilizing nearby natural gas deposits. Its chief products are enameled kitchen utensils, glassware and window panes, textiles, and footwear. The city is surrounded by famous local vineyards. Pop. (1992 prelim.) 64,488.